Local News

‘Blue Law’ Thwarts Priest’s Attempt to Offer Communion to Harvey Victims

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According to a Houston TV station, a Catholic priest used a kayak to get from his home in Southeast Houston to higher ground and hoped to say Mass for other people stranded on the streets after Hurricane Harvey flooded many of the streets in Houston last week. Father David Bergeron was stranded in his truck with his kayak in the floodwaters after a trip to Galveston the day before. The priest decided to use his time spent stranded to kayak around his neighborhood and celebrate mass with those who were in the same boat as he (pun intended).

No Wine Purchases Before Noon on Sunday – Not Even in the Name of God

Harvey

Photo: Flickr/Detroitstylz

Father Bergeron says that he even tried to buy some wine for Mass at a convenience store but couldn’t because sales are prohibited in Texas on Sunday before noon. Texas ancient liquor laws prevent alcohol sales on Sundays before noon. This law is a remnant of so-called “Blue Laws” in Texas. Blue Laws have been around since before Texas or the United States were founded. Their purpose, originally, was to prohibit the sale of certain goods on Sundays – a day traditionally meant to be spent in church and resting.

Delivering the Word Via Kayak

Houston flooding

Photo: Facebook/ABC13Houston

KTRK reports that Bergeron said, “It’s not that I usually buy alcohol that early in the morning, but I had wanted to say Mass with the few people who are stranded.”

Bergeron claims that he’s not the first to take the Word by boat to the people. “I guess this is how the Americas were evangelized as well with a canoe and this is a kayak,” Bergeron said. “I hope that can bring a smile to a few people.” Father Bergeron says that he continues to pray for people affected by Harvey.